Domestic appliances

ABSTRACT

This invention provides a domestic appliance ( 1 ) such as a kettle, coffee maker, and toaster or similar that includes a fluid chamber ( 3 ). The fluid chamber ( 3 ) is provided with a light to diffuse through the fluid and is visible through a transparent or translucent portion in the exterior wall of the wall of the chamber. The light may be controlled to show different operative states of the appliance and provide a large visual area of indication of the operative.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to domestic appliances and, more particularly, todomestic appliances with a reservoir, such as water heating and beveragemaking apparatus as well as other apparatus such as toasters, blenders,etc. More specifically, although not solely. This invention relates toapparatus in the forms of domestic appliances such as kettles, coffeepercolators or other similar items to either heat water for beverageproduction or further process heated fluids into a completed beverage.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Domestic appliances for heating water or making hot beverages usuallycome in a form of kettles, coffee percolators or similar apparatus.While such domestic appliances provide useful utility, they can beharmful and potentially dangerous to the user because of the heatedfluid they carry. Other potentially harmful appliances to a user existin the form of toasters, blenders, etc. with a hot exterior which canharm a user if they are unaware of the operative state of the appliance.

On the majority of such appliances, some visual indication is providedfor the status of the appliance as to whether the appliance is switchedon or off. This is particularly important on apparatus such as coffeepercolators where there is a likelihood that the apparatus will not onlyproduce the beverage but also maintain the beverage on a heated platefor use over a period of time.

The usual method for indicating the status of the appliance is toprovide some kind of visual indication being either the position of theoff-on switch or, on many appliances, an indicating light. However, suchindicating lights are generally given by small low-powered lampsprovided on one side of the apparatus and may not always be apparent toa user or, sometimes, the lamps are just not conspicuous enough aslow-wattage lamps are always preferred to minimize non-critical energyconsumption. This increases the likelihood of the apparatus being leftonto either damage the apparatus or catch a user unawares, such as auser may find themselves on a heated portion of the apparatus withoutappreciating that the apparatus was on.

For example, in the case of kettles or similar, it may be desirable toknow when the kettle has achieved a desired temperature. Most suchappliance which is purely for heating water for making a beverage willhave some form of automatic cut-off, generally relying on asteam-operated switch or similar. However, the operation of that switchdoes not provide much of an indication to a user that the state of theapparatus has changed and that the water has achieved the desiredtemperature. Unless the user specifically notes the position of theswitch or hears a small audible click once the switch activates, thereis little other provision of indicators. Again, a small indicating lightcould be provided although this also depends on the positioning of thelight and once the risk of not being particularly apparent to a user ata distance or from a side of the appliance that masks the indicatinglight itself.

Other domestic appliances such as toasters or blenders may also benefitfrom a more visible indication of the operative state of the applianceto avoid harm to a user that is unaware the appliance is on.

It may be desirable to provide a further form of indication which, ifpossible, can also add to the aesthetic appearance of the appliances byproviding a new visual effect. Preferably, such an indication carrieswith it practical utility.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide such an apparatusthat may overcome some of the disadvantages of the prior art and/orprovide a new aesthetic effect to such appliances or at least providethe public with a useful choice. It is a particular object of thisinvention to provide heated domestic appliances having a reservoir withvisible means which overcome at least some of the shortcomings of theappliances known while providing practical utility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention may broadly be said toconsist in a domestic appliance comprising:

-   -   at least one fluid chamber;    -   at least one portion of said fluid chamber being transmissible        to light in the visible range;    -   a light emitter or light source to emit light towards and        through said fluid such that defused light through said fluid is        visible through the light transmissible panel of said fluid        chamber; and

Preferably, said light emitter indicates the operative state of theappliance.

Preferably, the fluid contained in said fluid chamber or said fluidchamber itself forms an illuminated display means when illuminated bysaid light source.

Preferably said light transmissible panel is a transparent ortranslucent portion of said fluid chamber.

Preferably said light emitter comprises a light bulb directing lightinto said fluid.

Preferably, said light emitter or light source includes a distributedlight source.

Preferably, said distributed light source is ultra-violet light sourcegiving out both visible light and invisible ultra-violet radiation.

Preferably said fluid chamber comprises a fluid chamber for a percolatorand said heating means is associated with said fluid chamber to heatfluid passing from at least one first fluid chamber to a second fluidchamber.

Preferably further heating means is provided to maintain heat and saidsecond fluid chamber.

Alternatively said domestic appliance comprises a kettle and said lightemitter emits light directly into fluid being heated within saidchamber.

Preferably said light emitted into a chamber of said kettle is emittedfrom a side of the chamber.

Preferably said light emitted from a side of said chamber is emittedfrom a light emitter positioned in a handle portion of said appliance.

Preferably a further light emitter is provided to emit light in anultra-violet waveband.

Preferably multiple light emitters are provided to indicate differentstates of the apparatus or appliance.

Preferably said appliance includes a controller to control theillumination of different lights or varied illumination of a singlelight emitter in accordance with different operative states of saidapparatus.

Further aspects of the invention may become apparent to those skilled inthe art to which the invention relates upon reading the followingdescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way ofexamples and with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kettle showing a first embodiment ofthe apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a transversal cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the apparatus ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows another longitudinal cross-section of the apparatus of FIG.4;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of theapparatus; and

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a yet further embodiment of theapparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, a domestic appliance 1 is shown in FIGS. 1 to3 in the form of a kettle or other water heating apparatus. It will beappreciated that the water heating apparatus can be used for heatingother beverage fluids and the kettle as shown is merely indicative ofthe type of apparatus to which the invention may relate.

The domestic appliance 1 in the form of a kettle 2 contains a mainfluid-containing chamber 3. The fluid containing chamber 3 shouldcontain at least one portion that is transmissible to visible light. Inthis particular example, the main generally circumferential sidewalls 4can be made from a transparent or translucent material such as glass ofspecific colours or other materials such as plastics or the like. Inthis particular embodiment, the majority of the outer surface area ofthe fluid container or chamber 3 is provided in a substantiallytransparent material. Of course, this could be varied to only provide aspecific portion or panel in the fluid container of such a suitablematerial.

This particular embodiment provides the appliance in the form of akettle and, as a consequence, provides the heating element 6 to heat thefluid within the container 3. Typically the heating element is providedin a base portion 7 of the apparatus.

A handle portion 8 is provided together with a switch 9 for operatingthe appliance and a controller 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, a light emitter 5 which, in this embodiment isprovided in the form of a light bulb, can be placed to transmit lightinto the fluid chamber 3. The light may be directed to diffuse throughthe fluid held within the chamber 3.

When provided in combination with the transparent or translucent orotherwise light transmissible portion of the reservoir or the fluidchamber 3, the lighting emitter 5 is able to provide a significant areaof visible light passing through the transmissible portion having beendiffused through the fluid within the fluid chamber 3.

The lighting emitter is able to be utilized as an indicator of theoperative state of the appliance. For example, the lighting emitter 5can provide any particular desired colour of light through the fluid andthrough the transmissible portion to indicate that the appliance isswitched on.

In this preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, it can be seen thatthree light emitters are provided with the additional light emittersbeing a visible light spectrum bulb 11 and an ultra-violet light emitter12. The ultra-violet light emitter is preferably a ultra-violet tubewhich preferably emits both visible light as well as invisibleultra-violet radiation. Also, a light tube is preferred as it gives outmore distributed light.

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus is at least partially filled withfluid and the ultra-violet light emitter 12 can be utilized to providesome treatment of the water within the fluid container 3 so as to assistin the killing of bacteria or similar. Of course, this may be anoptional preference in this embodiment. The ultra-violet light emitter12 may be engaged for a short period or continuously as desired. Ofcourse, as the ultra-violet light emitter 12 provides additional utilityas well as giving visible indication, the ultra-violet emitter 12 can beset as a standard feature with the other lights being optional or can beremoved.

The light emitters 5 and 11 can provide visibly different forms of lightthrough the fluid to indicate different operative conditions of theappliance. For example, the light emitters 5 and 11 may be of differentcolours or similar with one light as shown in FIG. 2 being the light 5emitting a specific colour while the water is being heated towardsboiling by the heating element 6. In its simplest form, the lightemitter 5 can simply be switched with the heating element 6.

Upon reaching boiling point, the heating element 6 may be switched offentirely or reduced to simply maintain heat in the water. During thisperiod, an alternative light 11 can be utilized to diffuse a differentcolour through the water to provide immediate visual indication to auser of the change of operative state.

Of course, it will be apparent that a single light emitter can beutilized to emit different colours upon receiving different inputs. Thisis particularly the case if solid-state light source are used in theform of light emitting diodes or similar.

In this example, the lights 5, 11 and 12 can be provided in a housingportion 14 adjacent the handle 8. This may be a more desirable solutionfor a kettle of this form. In providing such lights on a kettle 2,consideration needs to be made to the position of the heating element 6and the proximity of the lights and associated wiring to that heatingelement. It may not be desirable to provide the lights particularlyclose to the heating element 6 nor, in some circumstances, directlyabove the heating element 6 in an upper portion as shown in the previousfigures. If the light emitters are placed in the lid portion of thekettle 2, consideration must be taken to account for steam generationwithin the fluid chamber 3 that may interfere with the housing,manufacture and operation of the lights.

In addition, as the light emitting arrangement is placed in a generallytransparent compartment partly surrounded by the fluid container 3, theemitted light can be more effectively dispersed or diffused into thefluid contained in the fluid container or even to the fluid container tofacilitate a “large-screen” display effect.

A further appliance is shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 in the form of a coffeemaker or percolator 20. Here it can be seen that the light emitters 21,22 and a UV emitter 23 are provided in the cold water tank 27 of theappliance. Of course, one or more could be provided to shine or diffusethrough the heated chamber 24 also, however, the generally dark natureof coffee may require careful selection of an appropriate source oflight to achieve the desired aims.

By providing multiple or variable lights 21 and 22, the coffee maker canindicate different states such as the production of coffee into thechamber 24 and then the maintenance of the heating element 26 to keepthe coffee hot.

In general, it will be noted that the lights may be placed anywhere thatconveniently provides light to the tank and may even be placed in thelid 28 of the apparatus 20 or in the base of the tank as shown in theprevious FIG. 6. Although the effect of moisture to the lights willrequire due consideration in the light source is placed in the lid 28.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a blender 30 and a toaster 35 respectively. In thesetwo figures, a fluid chamber 31 and 36 respectively is provided inappliances where water is not an integral part of the operation of theapparatus. Unlike the kettle where water forms part of the operation,here the fluid chamber is provided purely to act as a large diffuser toan indicating light and add aesthetic value to the appliance as a whole.

The blender 30 in FIG. 7 is shown to include the visible chamber at thebase of the blending unit 33, and above the motor housing 34.

The toaster 35 provides the chamber in a ring like fashion around thebase of the toaster.

A variety of other positions could be utilised to provide a largeindicating area for the diffused light. diffused light occurring throughwater retained in a transparent chamber in the appliance.

When applied to kettles or similar, the water held within the applianceitself as part of its normal operation can be used.

Regardless, a user can identify the state of the appliance from adistance and be wary of heated appliances or those where care should betaken while switched into a particular operative condition. Furthermore,this can be achieved while providing a particular aesthetic appearanceto the appliances.

The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodimentsthat are exemplary of the invention although should not be consideredlimiting to the scope of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims. Specific integers referred to throughout the description may bedeemed to incorporate known equivalents where appropriate.

1. A domestic appliance comprising: a housing defining at least onefluid chamber and a handle portion; a heating means for heating saidfluid chamber; at least one portion of said fluid chamber beingtransmissible to light in the visible range; an elongated light emitterextending alongside said handle portion and said fluid chamber andarranged to emit light distributedly towards and through fluid in saidfluid chamber such that light through said fluid is visible through alight transmissible panel of said fluid chamber; and said elongatedlight emitter arranged to indicate the operative state of the applianceduring use and placed in a compartment intermediate said fluid chamberand said handle portion.
 2. A domestic appliance as claimed in claim 1wherein said light transmissible panel is a transparent or translucentportion of said fluid chamber.
 3. A domestic appliance as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said light emitter comprises a light tube for dispersinglight into said fluid.
 4. A domestic appliance as claimed in claim 1wherein said fluid chamber comprises a fluid chamber for a percolatorand said heating means is associated with said fluid chamber to heatfluid passing from at least one first fluid chamber to a second fluidchamber.
 5. A domestic appliance as claimed in claim 4 wherein a furtherheating means is provided to maintain heat in said second fluid chamber.6. A domestic appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein said domesticappliance comprises a kettle and said light emitter emits light directlyinto fluid being heated within said fluid chamber, said compartmentbeing adjacent said handle portion.
 7. A domestic appliance as claimedin claim 6, wherein said light emitted into a chamber of said kettle isemitted from a side of the fluid chamber.
 8. A domestic appliance asclaimed in claim 7 wherein said light emitted from a side of said fluidchamber is emitted from a light emitter positioned adjacent said handleportion of said appliance.
 9. A domestic appliance as claimed in claim 1wherein a further light emitter is provided to emit light in anultra-violet waveband.
 10. A domestic appliance as claimed in claim 1further comprising multiple light emitters for indicating differentstates of the appliance.
 11. A domestic appliance as claimed in claim 1wherein said appliance includes a controller to control the illuminationof different lights or varied illumination of a single light emitter inaccordance with different operative states.
 12. A domestic appliance asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said appliance provides a fluid chamber in oradjacent a base of the appliance to indicate the operative state of theappliance.
 13. A domestic appliance as claimed in claim 12 wherein saidappliance comprises a toaster.
 14. A domestic appliance as claimed inclaim 12 wherein said appliance comprises a blender.